3D printing brings us to the Burritob0t

A 3D printer that pops out steaming hot burritos before your very eyes? That sounds like the plot of the next stoner movie turned cult hit. In this case, though, it’s actually the thesis project of an NYU masters student. And it’s fast becoming a reality…

“Burritob0t invites critical questions about the food we regularly consume, particularly in regards to fast food (labor practices, environmental consequences, nutritional value),” the Burritob0t website explains. “Mexican fast food is emblematic of the assembly line: it is mass-produced in an era of modern consumables, appropriating a false authenticity. Burritob0t, in turn, aims to encourage dialogue about how and where our food is grown, methods of production, environmental impact, cultural appropriation, and, perhaps most importantly: what our food means to us…”

Unfortunately, there’s not much mention of the meat, beans and rice that really make up the bulk of a good burrito. They’d have to be liquified into a fine paste to make it through the machine, anyway, so it’s either sloppy, dripping wrap o’ mush or add the actual substance on yourself.

The Burritob0t doesn’t appear fully functional just yet, so our dreams of a burrito-making machine-servant popping out savory meat treats at our beck and call may never see fruition. Marko Manriquez does mention that he plans to demonstrate the device at a live event sometime this summer…

Manriquez plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign in July to raise more money to develop the Burritob0t and experiment with conceptualizations of food and man. He also aims to create an exhibition in which a series of bots make a five-course meal, so there may be some other foodie bots on the way.